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Penguin Conserva�on

The Penguin TAG Newsle�er Volume 20; Number 1 April 2016

In This Issue

From the Editors Page 1

Risk Factors for Cataracts in Macaroni and Southern Rockhopper Penguins Page 2

Yellow-eyed Penguins Facing Uncertain Future But New Ini�a�ves Offering Hope Page 5

Joining a Field Team on the Western Antarc�c Peninsula Page 7

Underwater Robots to Test for Foraging Compe��on Between Adelie and Gentoo Penguins Page 9

PAAZA Conserva�on Research Project—ArK Page 10

Penguin Listserv Summaries Page 16

News and Updates Page 19

Penguin Conserva�on Newsle�er Index: October 2011 to October 2015 Page 22

AZA SAFE Program Call to Ac�on! Page 24

Recommended References Page 25

Websites We Love Page 29

Events and Announcements Page 30

Penguin Conserva�on is supported by the Penguin TAG and published electronically

bi-annually. For subscrip�on, ar�cle submission, and all other inquires contact the editors.

Editors: Linda Henry, [email protected]

Jessica Jozwiak, [email protected]

Archived issues are available on the Penguin TAG website: www.zoopenguins.org

Visit us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PenguinTAG

From the Editors

In this issue we provide informa�on on an in-depth penguin cataract study presented at the Penguin Husbandry Work-

shop held during the 2015 AZA Mid-year Mee�ng. Detroit Zoo veterinarian, Dr. Sarah Woodhouse, and board-cer�fied

veterinary ophthalmologist, Dr. Suze�e Aquino, completed eye exams on macaroni and southern rockhopper penguins

at eight North American ins�tu�ons. The objec�ve of the study was to iden�fy the extent of cataracts in the zoo popula-

�on and determine why they occur. Par�cipa�ng ins�tu�ons completed a survey addressing husbandry factors. Infor-

ma�on obtained from this important study will aid penguin managers with making husbandry decisions that will de-

crease the incidence of cataracts for penguin in their care.

David MacFarlane, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust (YEPT) field manager, provides an update on the recent yellow-eyed pen-

guin breeding season. Con�nual decline in the number of yellow-eyed penguin (YEP) nests and fledging chicks along the

southern range has prompted the YEPT to focus their efforts to save this species at the individual level. MacFarlane de-

scribes two new, exci�ng developments facilita�ng this effort: the appointment of a conserva�on scien�st to conduct

research on marine issues affec�ng YEP produc�vity, and a wildlife veterinary specialist, to provide medical care to YEPs

injured during chick fledging and adult molt. The YEPT is also looking into the feasibility of opening a wildlife hospital in

Dunedin. A dedicated hospital will be a cri�cal component for providing quick medical a�en�on for the cri�cally endan-

gered YEPs and other penguin species that occur along the Otago coast. The PCN editors encourage suppor�ng the im-

portant work of the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust at an ins�tu�onal and/or individual level.

The Detroit Zoological Society supports the important work of polar ecologist, Dr. Bill Fraser, and the Polar Oceans

Research Group. Dr. Fraser provided a unique opportunity for a Detroit Zoo staff member to join his field team during

the 2015/16 field season. Bird Department zookeeper, Ma�hew Porter, traveled to the U.S. Palmer Sta�on, located on

the Western Antarc�c Peninsula, where he spent three months assis�ng with the study of penguins and other seabirds.

Ma�hew provides an account of his work in the field and life at the sta�on.

Megan Cimino provides an excerpt of a study completed at the U.S. Palmer Sta�on on the Western Antarc�c Peninsula,

which has become one of the most rapidly warming places on Earth. Here, gentoo penguin numbers are increasing

while Adelie penguin numbers are dras�cally decreasing. The study analyzes data taken from satellite transmi�ers and

data recorders applied to breeding penguins, and oceanographic data taken with an autonomous underwater vehicle.

The results were used to determine whether this popula�on shiM is caused by compe��on for prey or is driven by cli-

mate change.

John Werth, Pan-African Associa�on of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA) execu�ve director, describes the objec�ves behind the

PAAZA ArK program. This unique program combines data and resources from three components: the living collec�on,

the biomaterial bank and the people conduc�ng research, to develop a conserva�on ac�on plan for saving targeted spe-

cies. The African penguin is one of the species for which a specific plan has been developed. Gene flow between breed-

ing sites, epidemiological research, and the establishment of new colonies are among some of the key objec�ves out-

lined for this endangered species.

We thank all of those who contributed to this issue including Dr. Sarah Woodhouse (Detroit Zoo), David MacFarlane

(Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust), Ma�hew Porter (Detroit Zoo), Megan Cimino (University of Delaware), John Werth (Pan-

African Associa�on of Zoos and Aquaria), Dr. Andre Chiaradia (Phillip Island Nature Parks), Shawn Pedersen (Woodland

Park Zoo), Heidi Ollek (Toronto Zoo) and Gayle Sirpenski (Mys�c Aquarium). We are always looking for content that would be of interest to our readers. An abbreviated version of the next issue will

be included in the 9th Interna�onal Penguin Congress (IPC9) packets. Please submit all ar�cles by August 1st.

Penguin Conserva�on Volume 20; Number 1 April 2016 Page 1

Penguin TAG Steering Commi�ee

Chair: Tom Schneider (Detroit Zoo)

Vice Chair: Heather Urquhart (New England Aquarium)

Secretary: Gayle Sirpenski (Mys�c Aquarium)

Members: Sherry Branch (SeaWorld Orlando), Colleen Lynch (Riverbanks

Zoo and Garden), Steve Sarro (Smithsonian’s Na�onal Zoo), Ric Urban

(Newport Aquarium), Susan Cardillo (Central Park Zoo), Mary Jo Willis

(Denver Zoo), Stephanie Hue�ner (Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo), Diane Olsen

(Aquarium at Moody Gardens), Geneve Darnell (Jacksonville Zoo),

Mike Macek (St. Louis Zoo), Lauren DuBois (SeaWorld San Diego),

Alex Waier (Milwaukee County Zoo)

Penguin TAG Mission: To provide leadership for the management

of penguins ex situ in order to maintain healthy, sustainable popula�ons

for the purpose of:

♦ Engendering apprecia�on for these charisma�c species that are

indicators of the health of marine and coastal environments.

♦ Promo�ng conserva�on concern and conserva�on ac�on through

educa�on programs and internet resources.

♦ Furthering in situ conserva�on and research in support of ex situ

management.

Penguin TAG Website: www.zoopenguins.org

Penguin TAG on Facebook: www.facebook.com/PenguinTAG


Risk Factors for Cataracts in Macaroni and Southern Rockhopper Penguins* Sarah J. Woodhouse, DVM, Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, MI *Adapted from a talk given at the 2015 AZA Mid-Year Mee�ng Penguin Workshop

Many of you who work with cap�ve penguins have probably seen cataracts in your birds. At the Detroit

Zoological Society, we’d seen cataracts too, but we didn’t realize the extent of our problem un�l we asked

our friends the veterinary ophthalmologists to do complete eye exams on our penguins. It was then that we

found that more than 50% of our Macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chrysolophus) and Southern Rockhopper

penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) had cataracts. AMer recovering from the shock of this staggering preva-

lence, we thought, “Are we doing something wrong?! …do other zoos and aquaria have this problem?”. We

then set out on a research project to find out. Through a generous grant from the Michigan-based Aline

Underhill Orten Founda�on, Dr. Sarah Woodhouse, staff veterinarian at the Detroit Zoo, and Dr. Suse�e

Aquino, board-cer�fied veterinary ophthalmology specialist, traveled throughout North American examining

penguin eyes. Eight ins�tu�ons graciously donated �me and allowed access to their penguins for this study:

Detroit Zoological Society, Indianapolis Zoo, Louisville Zoo, Montreal Biodome, Newport Aquarium,

Pi�sburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, SeaWorld San Diego, and Tennessee Aquarium.

Cataract prevalence

We examined 160 Macaroni penguins—over 90% of the North American popula�on—at 6 ins�tu�ons and 90

Rockhopper penguins at 5 ins�tu�ons (3 ins�tu�ons housed both species). Both penguin species had very

similar cataract prevalence rates: 46.5% of Macaronis and 45.5% of Rockhopper penguins had a cataract in

one or both eyes. Cataracts were more common as penguins aged: the mean age of a penguin with cataracts

was about 23 years. Cataracts undergo changes in appearance and size as more of the lens gets involved—

this process is known as ‘cataract matura�on’ and has been divided into different stages for descrip�ve pur-

poses (See Photos 1-6). Incipient cataracts are the first stage and are oMen small and difficult to see without

an ophthalmoscope. The next two stages, immature and mature, become more no�ceable as they involve

more of the lens and begin to look more opaque or ‘white’ in appearance. In the hypermature stage, the

en�re lens is white and the cataract is very obvious. AMer this stage, the cataract may actually start to

‘dissolve’ and have a sparkling appearance or may become inapparent as the remainder of the lens resorbs.

As cataracts mature, they oMen cause inflamma�on in the eye, which can be seen as ‘rubeosis’ or redness of

the iris due to an increase in blood vessels (Photos 4 and 5). Penguins with eye inflamma�on can be recog-

nized by frequent squin�ng or tearing.

The most frequent stage of cataract in Macaroni penguins was the hypermature stage, while the most fre-

quent stage in Rockhoppers was the incipient stage. The mean age of a Macaroni penguin with an incipient

cataract was about 13 years, while in Rockhoppers, it was 21 years. Taken together, this suggests that

Macaroni penguins begin to develop cataracts at an earlier age and progress more completely through the

matura�on stages compared with Rockhoppers.

Cataract risk factors

Iden�fying the extent of the cataract problem was only our first objec�ve. Our second and more important

goal was to try to determine why cap�ve penguins might be geXng cataracts…and how we might be able to

prevent them. In order to do this, each ins�tu�on took the �me to fill out a survey that addressed husband-

ry factors, such as diet, vitamin supplementa�on, photoperiod, and exhibit a�ributes. When we visited each

ins�tu�on for penguin eye exams, we measured light intensity (or brightness) as well as ultraviolet (UV)

spectrum light within each habitat (Photo 7). This informa�on was broken down into individual factors, and

sta�s�cal analysis was performed to determine which factors could predict penguin cataracts. Unfortunately,

this type of analysis cannot tell us what causes penguin cataracts: an experimental study where penguins Con�nued on Page 3

Con�nued from Page 2

exposed to each factor are compared with a control group (not exposed to the factor) would be required to

do that. But, it can tell us which factors were more strongly associated with higher rates or lower rates of

cataract prevalence.

Macaroni penguin cataracts: most significant factors

The most significant factors associated with an increased risk for Macaroni penguins included age, hand

feeding the majority of the diet, and fluorescent ligh�ng in the habitat.

Factors associated with a decreased risk of cataracts were use of pool filtra�on and steriliza�on systems,

rou�ne water quality monitoring (specifically alkalinity, pH, and salinity), providing UV spectrum ligh�ng in

the habitat, brighter light intensi�es, and use of metal halide light bulbs in the habitat.

Rockhopper penguin cataracts: most significant factors

Increased cataract risk in Rockhoppers was associated with age and increasing density of Rockhoppers in the

habitat.

Factors associate with a decreased risk of cataracts in Rockhoppers included krill and herring in the diet, in-

creasing habitat land area and decreasing Rockhopper penguin density).

Neutral factors

Male vs. female: Males and females were equally likely to have cataracts.

Northern hemisphere vs. Southern hemisphere photoperiod: The study ins�tu�ons were evenly distributed,

with 4 using Northern and 4 using Southern hemisphere photoperiod schedules. Neither schedule was asso-

ciated with cataract prevalence. Con�nued on Page 4


1: Incipient (first stage) cataract. S. Aquino 2: Immature cataract. S. Woodhouse 3: Mature cataract. S. Aquino

4: Hypermature cataract with rubeosis 5: Resorbing cataract with rubeosis of the iris. G. Sila 6: Resorbing cataract. S. Woodhouse (redness) of the iris. S. Aquino



Heredity: Because of the Macaroni and Rockhopper SSP® studbooks, we were able to look at the poten�al

of cataracts as a heritable trait. Heritability analysis was performed using the Animal Model, which is a pedi-

gree-based explana�on of traits. As expected, the model indicated that sex is unassociated but that increas-

ing age is predicted to increase the probability of having cataracts. The model with age included gave a pre-

dicted heritability of 0.0027 for Macaroni and 0.0030 for Rockhoppers. This equates to cataracts being

0.27% and 0.3% heritable, respec�vely. In other words, cataracts are very unlikely to be a heritable trait in

these penguin species.

Mixed penguin species exhibits: Most exhibits housed addi�onal penguin species with the Eudyptes pen-

guins. Neither the presence of other penguin species nor the total penguin density correlated with cataract

prevalence. For Rockhoppers, only Eudyptes penguin density was a risk factor.

Vitamin supplementa�on: The vast majority of penguins were given a daily vitamin supplement, so we were

unable to sta�s�cally compare cataract prevalence in penguins that were supplemented with penguins that

were not.

What can you do to help prevent cataracts in your penguins?

Although this study cannot answer the ques�on ‘What causes penguin cataracts?’ it can answer the ques-

�on ‘What can we do to decrease the risk of cataracts in our penguins?’. Make sure you are using pool fil-

tra�on and steriliza�on systems. Monitor your pool water quality and be prepared to make adjustment to

alkalinity and pH. Consider decreasing or discon�nuing use of fluorescent bulbs in your exhibit in favor of

metal halide bulbs, which provide UV spectrum and tend to produce brighter light. Consider decreasing

hand feeding by adding pool feeding or free feeding. Finally, evaluate your Eudyptes penguin density, mak-

ing sure that everyone seems to have enough personal space.

For more informa�on and more thorough discussion on each of the cataract risk factors, please watch for an

upcoming publica�on en�tled ‘Evalua�on of poten�al risk factors associated with cataract in cap�ve Maca-

roni and Rockhopper penguins’ by authors SJ Woodhouse, EL Peterson, and T Schmi� in the 2016 issues of

Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine.

Light intensity was measured using the Extech 407026 heavy duty light meter (Extech Instruments Corpora�on, Nashua, New Hampshire 03063, USA)

on the ‘L’ seXng for Tungsten/Daylight. Ultraviolet radia�on was measured using a UV meter and sensor with a spectral response to wavelengths

ranging from 260 nm to 400 nm. (Solar Light PMA 2107 Non-Weighted UVA + UVB Sensor, Solar Light Company Inc., Glenside, Pennsylvania 19038,

USA).

7: Dr. Woodhouse measuring light intensity in a penguin habitat. S. Aquino


Yellow-eyed Penguins Facing Uncertain Future but New Ini�a�ves Offering Hope David McFarlane, Field Manager, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust, New Zealand

Season Summary

The knock on effect of the last 3-4 seasons of indifferent breeding success for yellow-eyed penguins

(Megadyptes an�podes) is once again evident, with many fewer nests and therefore fewer chicks fledging

along the mainland coast of Otago-Southland and on Stewart Island. There were 203 ac�ve nest sites rec-

orded, around half of the 400 usually found.

On Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust reserves a similar pa�ern was apparent, with fledging numbers at Long Point

- Irahuka and Cosgrove Creek at 22 chicks and 12 chicks respec�vely, well down from the 80 and 18 chicks

that fledged annually as recently as the 2012/13 season. In an ironic twist the condi�on of the fledging

chicks was generally excellent with average fledging weights of over 5kg and the heaviest chick ever record-

ed at the Trust’s Otapahi Reserve on Otago Peninsula being measured at 6.85kg.

Yellow-eyed penguin survival at this northern limit of their range remains on a knife edge and has been the

driving impetus for the Trust in developing some significant conserva�on ini�a�ves. In an important depar-

ture from previous prac�ce the Trust is now very conscious that it is no longer simply managing a popula-

�on of yellow-eyed penguins but that the welfare of individual animals must be safe guarded.

Trust Science & Veterinary Roles

In the first of two exci�ng developments the Trust has appointed a conserva�on scien�st to advise and lead

research with emphasis around marine issues affec�ng yellow-eyed penguin produc�vity. For too long the

mysteries of the marine ecology of yellow-eyed penguins has been exactly that, a mystery. In an almost

unprecedented move for a New Zealand conserva�on NGO the appointment of Dr. Trudi Webster brings

science alongside our conserva�on management. Look out for Trudi at the 9th Interna�onal Penguin

Congress in Cape Town, South Africa.

In another development, spurred on by the number of yellow-eyed penguins suffering from barracouta

bites in the January – February 2015 breeding season, the Trust ran a highly successful fundraising cam-

paign to employ a specialist wildlife veterinarian over the busy and challenging fledging / adult moult

period.

Dr. Lisa Argilla, previously employed by the Massey University Veterinary School and Wellington Zoo, was

contracted for 6 weeks and operated on 18 yellow-eyed penguins (13 adults and five chicks), travelling hun-

dreds of kilometres to retrieve injured penguins from up and down the coast. Of concern was the realisa-

�on that the majority of injured yellow-eyed penguins were female.

Dr. Argilla’s contribu�on was outstanding, opera�ng and s�tching badly bi�en penguins and relieving the

suffering of some, where euthanasia was the only op�on. Sue Murray (Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust General

Manager) commented that: “Without Lisa and her passionate commitment to the welfare of these endan-

gered penguins many more would have died, further compounding an already difficult situa�on”. Indeed

the success of Dr. Argilla’s work has highlighted the need for a much more organised and systema�c ap-

proach to providing wildlife veterinary services in the southern South Island of New Zealand.

Proposed Wildlife Hospital

Dr. Argilla has begun scoping the feasibility of a wildlife hospital in Dunedin, considered widely to be the

‘wildlife capital of New Zealand.’ In addi�on to yellow-eyed penguins, Dunedin and the Otago coastal region

are home to the world’s only mainland breeding colony of royal albatross (Diomedea sanfordi) and a small

Con�nued on Page 6


but growing popula�on of New Zealand sea lions (Phocarctos hookeri), among other threatened marine ani-

mals, as well as endemic forest birds such as tui (Prosthemadera novaeseelandiae) and kereru (Hemiphaga

novaeseelandiae). A local facility would significantly decrease the �me between discovery of an injured or

sick animal and when it receives expert veterinary interven�on. “At the moment, we have to send injured

yellow-eyed penguins and other animals to the North Island when they require treatments beyond superfi-

cial wounds that can be handled by local vets,” says Dr. Argilla. “This means the animals are subject to the

stressors of travel in less than ideal condi�ons, and a prolonged period of �me before they receive expert

care.”

Dr. Argilla cites the case of a yellow-eyed penguin that came into her care this season presen�ng with “classic

barracouta” wounds to both feet and legs. The penguin was found and brought in on a Sunday morning, and

by aMernoon was on intravenous an�bio�cs and stable enough for the first of mul�ple surgeries Monday

morning. “In previous seasons a penguin with these wounds would have been wai�ng un�l Monday to get on

a flight, typically arriving to the hospital late aMernoon, with surgery likely to be Tuesday morning.” With seri-

ous infec�ons seXng in within 24 hours of injury, and bone infec�ons common in penguins when wounds are

not treated quickly, there is li�le �me to waste. Dr. Argilla adds that “this par�cular bird wasn’t stable

enough to have survived the ini�al flight north.”

The yellow-eyed penguin season was indica�ve of the greater need for rapid interven�ons in cri�cally threat-

ened species. Dr. Argilla also treated Fiordland crested penguins (Eudyptes pachyrhynchus), a common visitor

to Otago, and blue penguins (Eudyptula minor). In addi�on to her penguin work, Dr. Argilla has experience

trea�ng albatross, kakapo (Strigops habrop�lus) and takahe (Porphyrio hochste5eri), as well as forest birds

and kiwi (Apteryx sp).

Ini�al conversa�ons with stakeholders regarding launching a hospital have been posi�ve, with the Otago

Polytechnic interested in hos�ng the facility at their Veterinary Nursing School. A wider community stake-

holder group mee�ng with local and na�onal conserva�on groups will be held in April 2016 to iden�fy poten-

�al partnerships and funding scenarios.

Further enquires can be sent to Dr. Argilla at [email protected]. You can help support the work of

the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust by visi�ng http://www.yellow-eyedpenguin.org.nz/passion/support-the-

trusts-work/become-a-trust-supporter.


Dr. Lisa Argilla provides medical care for injured yellow-eyed penguins during the 2015 breeding season. Photos provided by the Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust.

Joining a Field Team on the Western Antarc�c Peninsula Ma�hew Porter, Bird Department Zookeeper, Detroit Zoological Society, Royal Oak, MI

Last year the Detroit Zoological Society offered me the

extraordinary and rare opportunity to assist the Polar

Oceans Research Group with the study of penguins and

other seabirds at the U.S. Palmer Sta�on located on the

Western Antarc�c Peninsula. The Polar Oceans Research

Group is led by world-renowned polar ecologist Bill Fraser

who has been studying seabirds in Antarc�ca for over 40

years. AMer passing vigorous medical tes�ng, a couple of

wisdom teeth extrac�ons, and a gauntlet of paperwork,

I was qualified to go. I flew all the way down to Punta

Arenas, Chile where I boarded the 230 foot Laurence M.

Gould. This is the primary transport and supply vessel for the U.S. Palmer Sta�on, which is the smallest of

the U.S. Antarc�c sta�ons. AMer a five-day journey, which included crossing a surprisingly calm Drake Pas-

sage, we made it to the sta�on.

In the austral summer there are around 40 people sta-

�oned at Palmer, half support staff and half researchers,

who work together to accomplish science. On sta�on our

research group nickname was the “birders”. Once I se�led

in and went through orienta�on, I made my way down to

the “birder” hut. I joined up with three amazing, expert

field biologists who were already at sta�on working hard.

Much of our work was part of the Long-Term Ecological

Research (LTER) which studies how climate change impacts

seabirds. LTER is a collabora�on of research that analyzes

the whole ecosystem from the physical forces driving it, to

phytoplankton, up to the apex predators such as penguins.

Our field study area encompassed a couple dozen islands which we visited on a rou�ne basis. Although Ade-

lies are the dominant species in the area they have suffered a significant decline over the last couple of dec-

ades, while gentoo numbers are on the rise. We went into the field daily, weather permiXng. The wind

and ice must be watched carefully; it is very easy to get trapped by ice so great cau�on is exercised. It’s light

out all the �me with the sky turning gray in the middle of the night. During an average day we would get up

early, look at the forecast, gear up, prep the zodiacs and head on out. On any given day we may go to as

many as seven or eight islands studying the birds. We looked at the penguin popula�on of the en�re area

and we also look at specific colonies on a regular basis coun�ng adults, nests, and chicks frequently.

In the beginning of the season there was s�ll a large amount of snow on the ground. The Adelies were al-

ready nes�ng and laying eggs even though they couldn’t get to a lot of their nes�ng rocks. There is no �me

to wait as the short, boun�ful summer will pass by quickly. We also worked with south polar and brown

skuas, banding birds, surveying nests, rou�nely weighing chicks and more. The brown skuas mainly feed on

penguin eggs and penguin chicks. Southern giant-petrels (GIPES) are another species that we worked with.

Donna Pa�erson-Fraser has worked with these birds for years and the birds in our area have been habituated

to human presence. The GIPES are definitely the coolest species I’ve ever worked with. They are Con�nued on Page 8


Arriving at the U.S. Palmer Sta�on. Mathew Porter

A breeding colony of gentoo and chinstrap penguins. Mathew Porter


intelligent, confident predators that allowed us to put trans-

mi�ers on them with no restraint. Our work with this species

included applying bands, tracking breeding, measuring chicks,

and deploying satellite transmi�ers.

A great deal of our �me was spent studying and working with

the Adelie, gentoo, and chinstrap penguins. There weren’t a

lot of “chinnies” in our area but we did complete censuses of

individuals and nests. The Adelies cons�tuted a large por�on

of our work. We completed popula�on surveys and looked at

indictor colonies. We counted individuals, nests and chicks in

indicator colonies every couple of days; these same colonies

are studied year aMer year. Satellite transmi�ers are deployed on the birds to gather informa�on on pen-

guin behavior and foraging trips. The Adelies are very regimented in their ways and seem to live a very rou-

�ne life, while the gentoos appear more adaptable and playful. The gentoos are also very energe�c and fre-

ne�c, always moving about and swimming. Most of the gentoos in the area breed on one island in numerous

colonies. When studying the gentoos, we used methods that are similar to those used for Adelies.

All of the penguin chicks were awesome but the gentoos get my vote for having the cutest and cleanest

chicks. The gentoos and the chinstraps manage to stay surprisingly clean in the otherwise messy colony,

whereas the Adelie chicks become extremely filthy. Throughout their growth they are covered in pinkish,

krill-colored guano.

Throughout the season it was incredible watching the pen-

guin’s lifecycle and struggle to raise the next genera�on. The

birds took turns incuba�ng, brooding, and �relessly catching

krill to feed their chicks. They live on an incredibly rocky terrain

and do significant climbing to get to some of their nes�ng sites.

It was fascina�ng to see how much the birds swim and use the

water, way more than I had ever imagined. This is one element

we have incorporated into the Detroit Zoo’s new penguin facili-

ty, the Polk Penguin Conserva�on Center. The penguin habitat

will have a 326,000-gallon pool that is 25 feet deep allowing

very natural swimming and serious diving.

As my �me in Antarc�ca was coming to a close, the Adelie chicks

had crèched and were star�ng to molt, while the gentoo chicks

were beginning to crèche. And there were s�ll plenty of large ice-

bergs in the area. Antarc�ca is now a part of me, a very special

part of our world, and the most pris�ne environment I have ever

seen. The Western Antarc�c Peninsula is one of the fastest

changing places in the world due to the effects of climate change.

It will take a worldwide effort to help our planet, but every con-

scious decision we make to respect, recycle, and conserve will

help turn the �des. I am so honored to have had this opportunity

to work with the Polar Oceans Research Group and to be a

zookeeper for the Detroit Zoological Society.


Measuring a young GIPE chick. Photo provided by Mathew Porter.

Gentoo penguin with transmi�er a�ached. Mathew Porter

Adelie penguins on a berg bit. Mathew Porter

Using Underwater Robots to Test for Foraging Compe��on Between Adélie and Gentoo Penguins Megan A. Cimino, Mark A. Moline, University of Delaware, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, Newark, DE,

William R. Fraser, Donna L. Pa�erson-Fraser, Polar Oceans Research Group, Sheridan, MT & Ma�hew J. Oliver,

University of Delaware, College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, Newark, DE

For hundreds of years, Adélie penguins have been breeding on the West Antarc�c Peninsula (WAP), which

has recently become one of the most rapidly warming areas on Earth. At Palmer Sta�on, located along the

WAP, there were 15,000 breeding pairs of Adélie penguins in 1975; but today only a few thousand pairs are

leM. Over the last two decades, gentoo penguins have established a new and growing breeding colony, which

calls into ques�on whether the two species are compe�ng for the same food resource and whether this

might exacerbate the Adélie popula�on decline. To test if the species were compe�ng during the chick-

rearing period, penguins were tagged with satellite transmi�ers and �me-depth recorders to track where the

penguins went and how deep they were diving. Addi�onally, an autonomous underwater vehicle called a

REMUS provided measurements on temperature, salinity, light, chlorophyll and krill (the main food source

for both species), allowing for comparisons of species behavior and the distribu�on of their prey. Environ-

mental sampling from the REMUS was informed by the loca�on of the penguins. Using the oceanographic

data measured by the REMUS, krill were found to be in waters where it became darker at a shallower depth

and the bulk of phytoplankton was located deeper. This likely allows them to eat without being eaten by vis-

ual predators, like penguins.

Penguin dive data revealed that while the Adélie and gentoo penguins generally foraged in different areas,

there was a small area of overlap between the two species. Within the overlapping region, the gentoo pen-

guins shiMed behavior and foraged at deeper depths below the Adélie penguins, a strategy that likely limits

compe��on. Both penguin species are capable of dives to 150 m, yet, the Adélie penguins generally foraged

in the upper 50 m and didn’t change their behavior in areas overlapping with gentoo penguins but gentoo

penguins oMen foraged to 150 m. This suggests that climate-driven sympatry does not necessarily result in

compe��ve exclusion of Adélie penguins by gentoo penguins and that increased compe��on for krill is

not one of the major drivers of the Adélie penguin popula�on decline. Read more here:

h�p://www.nature.com/ar�cles/srep18820.


The REMUS conducts environmental sampling near

Palmer Sta�on on the Western Antarc�c Peninsula.

Mark Moline

Gentoo penguin tagged with satellite transmi�ers and

�me-depth recorders. Megan Cimino.

PAAZA Conserva�on Research Project - ArK John Werth, Execu�ve Director, Pan-African Associa�on of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA), Gauteng, South Africa

The ‘PAAZA Ark’ will strive to be the place offering “Shelter and Refuge” within the realms of the global con-

serva�on of biodiversity. It will align its vision with the latest WAZA strategy, ‘CommiXng to Conserva�on’.

The ArK project is guided by three components:

1. Living Ark

2. Cryo Ark

3. Ark Crew

1. Living Ark: African zoos and aquaria conserving biodiversity

A target to relieve the pressure on global biodiversity is to prevent the ex�nc�on of species. The Interna�on-

al Union for Conserva�on of Nature (IUCN) and the CBD (Ar�cle 9) [Conven�on on Biological Diversity

h�p://www.cbd.int/] recognized the need for combining in situ conserva�on ac�ons with ex situ approach-

es. PAAZA [h�p://www.zoosafrica.com/] should therefore be a recognized role player and show impact in

the policies of governments, conserva�on organiza�ons and research ins�tu�ons. A relevant project to de-

termine the poten�al contribu�on to conserva�on and to es�mate the number of threatened species held

in PAAZA facili�es was iden�fied. A preliminary study in 2011 showed that the cri�cally endangered species

in our care increased from 10 in 1997 to 19 species in 2007. The data to generate these figures were taken

from inventories. Unfortunately the trend over the last years cannot be determined as inventories were not

seen as important and efforts were totally abandoned in 2008 un�l the rebranding of PAAZAB in 2015 and

the renewed African Preserva�on Programme (APP) and African Studbooks (ASB). This was supported by an

incredible offering by ZIMS/ISIS of their soMware to PAAZA facili�es.

This project will provide informa�on on the different threat categories and total conserva�on contribu�on

of PAAZA to world biodiversity; demonstrate the role of African Zoos and Aquaria in conserva�on; increase Con�nued on Page 11


THE PAAZA ARK

Living Ark Cryo Ark Ark Crew

Living collection inventory.

Bird, Mammal, Fish &

Reptile collections

Biomaterial bank. Number & type of

samples. Requests for samples

People conducting research. Capacity

building. Database of skills and knowledge

within PAAZA


the credibility of African Zoos and Aquaria as true conserva�on organiza�ons and improve the public image

of African Zoos and Aquaria. This project aims to involve all African facili�es and to link the project into the

interna�onal community.

2. Cryo Ark: Biomaterials Bank

Below figures indicate the number of PAAZA biomaterials banked by the par�cipa�ng PAAZA ins�tu�ons

circa 2011.

3. Ark Crew:

Capacity building

Capacity building included the Fourth African Symposium on Zoological Medicine in 2015 (bi-annual). The

programme included a full day of prac�cals on the first day with the next two days focused on a variety of

taxa both terrestrial and marine. In a first, the symposium was open to animal keepers to offer a cross learn-

ing opportunity.

Some background: PAAZA currently monitors approximately 180 ‘bona-fide’ zoos in 47 countries of which 40

are in South Africa itself. In addi�on there are many smaller ‘zoos’ oMen of very low standards which are not

included in this total. Sixty of these 180 ins�tu�ons in 11 countries are PAAZA members and many employ

full �me veterinarians. With few excep�ons the veterinarians that work for these zoos have very limited or

no training in zoological medicine. In addi�on the provision of high quality CPD [con�nuing professional de-

velopment] for veterinarians, vet nurses and vet technicians involved in African zoos and aquaria are limited.

The symposium serves to raise the profile of zoological medicine as a career op�on amongst the veterinary

students in South Africa and Africa. The symposium further facilitated exchange of new knowledge, skills and

informa�on; promoted veterinary research and disease surveillance in African zoos and aquaria and provided

guidelines and standards for the provision of veterinary services in African zoos and aquaria.

People conduc�ng research

We would like to highlight some key research projects where PAAZA ins�tu�ons are either leading the re-

search or are significant collaborators. A summary of some of these APP projects follows:




Sungazer (Smaug giganteus), Ground-hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri), Cheetah, Pickersgill’s Reed frog, Am-

phibian Chytrid Fungus (Batrachochytrium dendroba�dis), African Penguin (Spheniscus demersus), Turtles,

Sharks.

Some of the academic ins�tu�ons linked to these research projects include, but are not limited to: TUT,

WITS, UP, UFS, NWU, UCT, NMMU. In addi�on to this is a linkage to na�onal departments: DEA, Oceans &

Coasts, SanParks and also wildlife agencies: Zimbabwe Museum, Kenyan Wildlife Services, Uganda Wildlife

Centre, Bristol Zoo, Provincial agencies.

OBJECTIVES

Below are key objec�ves of the ArK programme:

♦ Determine the gene�c and reproduc�ve structure of these species; Popula�on dynamics – linked to

dispersal

♦ Re-assess the IUCN status of the species

♦ Develop an ex situ / in situ management plan for species

♦ Conduct disease presence on ancient and modern samples

♦ Provide a diagnos�c service to the ex situ community

♦ Inves�gate illegal trade in species

♦ Linking the studbook to biomaterials, DNA profiles, necropsy and disease informa�on

♦ A veterinary care programme together with Deltamune [h�p://www.deltamune.co.za/] developing New-

castle’s Disease Vaccines and colla�ng the vet protocols for the species – for both the cap�ve breeding

programmes and the reintroduc�on programmes Con�nued on Page 13



♦ Par�cipate in the Species Recovery Plans with major stakeholders

♦ Develop a protocol for submission of samples and iden�fica�on of such with a resultant issue of a

cer�ficate of gene�c proof of origin, ‘Passport’, which is linked to the studbooks of the relevant species

Specific to species:

Cheetah

♦ To enhance the knowledge on the popula�ons in the view of conserva�on management and to combine

behavioural and gene�c approaches to explore social and gene�c groupings of cheetahs

♦ To contribute to real world conserva�on ac�ons

♦ DNA screening ini�a�ve for the South Africa Cheetah studbook and meta-popula�on management

♦ Develop a protocol for submission of samples and iden�fica�on of such with a resultant issue of a

cer�ficate of gene�c proof of origin for cheetah cubs

African Penguin

♦ Applying molecular gene�c techniques (single nucleo�de polymorphisms and microsatellite markers) at

mul�ple hierarchical levels to develop a gene�c management plan for African Penguin in South Africa to

inform the extent of gene flow between breeding sites and overall gene�c varia�on within ex-situ and

in-situ popula�ons

♦ Determine reproduc�ve fitness of penguin popula�ons: Evaluate techniques for the collec�on of semen,

to define quality in order to cryopreserve sperm and ul�mately to conserve the diversity of the gene pool

♦ Conduct disease epidemiological research

♦ Establishment of new colonies, re-introduc�on of cap�ve bred birds; risk assessment, popula�on

modelling, non-detriment findings, sample collec�on guidelines, satellite logger work; recaptured chick

modelling, acous�c telemetry, hand-rearing

IMPLEMENTATION

The Ark programme is run predominantly under the Research and Veterinary Poraolio. However, the inclu-

sion of DNA and photo ID to ini�ally PAAZA TOPS species Studbooks has linked the opera�ons of the

‘Research and Veterinary’ and the ‘Popula�on Sustainability’ poraolios.

One of the most important developments is the commitment to collabora�on between The Na�onal Zoologi-

cal Gardens, South Africa (NZG) h�p://www.nzg.ac.za/, the Na�onal Research Founda�on (NRF) h�p://

www.nrf.ac.za/ and PAAZA for the DNA typing and Bio-banking of samples. Together we will be developing

protocols and tools in line with legisla�ve requirements.

Why did PAAZA align itself with NZG/NRF?

♦ NZG/NRF accommodates na�onal requirements

♦ The NZG/NRF database is dynamically evolving to keep pace with modern developments

♦ Chain of custody sampling (a well thought out process to obtain a quality sample with metadata that is

verified)

♦ Credibility through scien�fic research and exper�se




♦ Maintained by government with regards to infrastructure, capacity, con�nua�on and sustainability

♦ A Na�onal Biobank that is well-developed with a well-established database, SPECIFY. This centralised da-

tabase supports strength for regula�on

♦ All samples are op�mally stored in a recognized na�onal Biobank

♦ Workflow is well-established from receiving samples at the Biobank to the DNA laboratory and a final

report on site

♦ Linked to studbooks – this is possible within SPECIFY with DNA profiles and sample metadata

To ensure the validity of the process, it is cri�cal to do chain of custody sampling. At this stage, NZG prefers

to take responsibility for this part of the process with its own trained teams, to ensure op�mal sampling. DEA

(Department of Environmental Affairs) and their TOPS (Threatened or Protected Species) division is well

aware of the ini�a�ve for CITES species.

For all studbook related DNA profiling the other cri�cal component is to use a validated marker set. Markers

between laboratories differ and thus the NZG as a non-commercial en�ty has op�mized an informa�ve

marker set suitable for sustainable DNA profiling based on their scien�fic exper�se and evidence-based

knowledge. DNA samples will be bio-banked and along with a photo ID, the data will be added to the

Studbook data set.

In addi�on to DNA, at a TOPS workshop it was noted that CITES regula�ons s�pulate compulsory transpond-

er/permanent marking for Appendix 1 species. As per the advice from CITES, below is an excerpt of the rele-

vant clauses for clarifica�on:

The first species and facility was iden�fied according to TOPS and BMP (Biodiversity Management Plan) re-

quirements - the African Penguin popula�on at the East London Aquarium, South Africa. Transponders as

recommended by the BMP working group were purchased and since transponder inser�on is classified as a

veterinary or para-veterinary procedure, the NZG team underwent addi�onal training.

The inaugural event under the ArK programme was a huge success.

Visit the link at h�p://www.zoosafrica.com/news-events/2015-02-09-13-18-28.html to learn more.




Added to this success, PAAZA is very proud to have two WAZA branded projects now linked to the ArK

programme:

This has all culminated in every animal being issued a unique ‘Passport’ which links it through the Studbook

to the DNA databank and vice-versa:


Penguin Listserv Summaries



Original Listserv

Ques�on

Toronto Zoo posted: Has anyone ever moved/shiMed their African penguin breeding season? Our

breeding season is usually between November-March/April. Has anyone had any experience doing

this? How did you go about doing this? Is it as simple as puXng nest boxes out earlier?

Greensboro

Science Center African

...We haven't tried to do this specifically but our birds start nes�ng in August and con�nue through

December. We even have some double clutches that go as late as Jan/Feb. We do not put nest boxes

out to encourage this. We only provide access to boxes once it appears a female is broody and seems

to be seeking out a nest. We have an indoor exhibit with an ar�ficial light cycle that is set with sunris-

es and sunsets. We also have skylights in the building which do provide some natural light cycling.

Minnesota Zoo African

We do not provide access to nes�ng opportuni�es year-round. They are pre�y interested in breed-

ing when not in molt, so if you provide access early, they should go early.

Calgary Zoo Humboldt

I’ve never tried to change my penguins’ breeding �me but in my experience I’d say the only thing that

makes a difference is the photoperiod, not temperature or availability of nes�ng material. I’d

suggest that you don’t give access to burrows/nest areas and materials and flood them with it when

you want to, but if they are off breeding that may not be enough to trigger breeding behaviors. We

have Humboldts (very similar to Africans) and despite the fact that they don’t have material or access

to nests, they go crazy in early march. By then it is s�ll very cold here so they are indoors only (very

constant temperatures) so I think the cue is the increase in day light. We have to hold them in (we

only allow nes�ng outside, where they have burrows) un�l around April when nighXme tempera-

tures are more stable and by then they are [eager to access anything] nes�ng

material.

Original Listserv

Ques�on

New England Aquarium posted: We are asking for small herring to be packed for us and the dis-

tributer is asking if any other penguin ins�tu�ons would be interested in the

product.

Long Island Aquarium and Exhibi�on Center posted: Also, does anyone have a supplier for small-

er sized herring? We currently just cherry-pick some smaller ones out of our boxes but some�mes

they are just all too big.

The distributer, Salmon Pacific Industries, Inc., says: “We can set-up the line to pull the

3”-7” herring out of the produc�on line for you.” Those interested can contact the distributor

directly at Michael Sato, Salmon Pacific Industries, Inc., Scanner Enterprises,

Michael Sato [email protected].

Original Listserv

Ques�on

Woodland Park Zoo posted: For any of you out there that have outdoor penguin exhibits, I was

wondering if you’ve come up with any clever ways to deter wasps/yellow jackets/hornets dur-

ing feeding �me. At this �me of year the wasps start increasing their protein needs and are all

over our fish, keepers and penguins. We have plenty of traps set up, which help, but don’t elimi-

nate the problem.

Ins�tu�on not

reported Install a large fan or mis�ng fan to make it difficult for the yellow jackets to fly.

Ins�tu�on not

reported

This facility reported that they don’t have much of a problem in the morning, so they hand feed

all of the birds in the morning, but in the aMernoon they do a pool feeding which the birds enjoy

and the keepers don’t have to be concerned with the wasps.





Original Listserv Ques�on

Milwaukee posted: We are considering using an addi�on of a soMer nes�ng

materiel to our Humboldt penguin nest boxes this year. Currently our birds nest

on river rock and have had no issues with egg breakage but we know that some

zoos offer soMer nes�ng materiel as well. We think the penguins would really

enjoy the addi�on of soMer material and it would offer an enrichment oppor-

tunity as they can forage for it and take it back to their nests. Our vets will not

approve anything that will mold-such as natural leaves, grasses, etc.. I know I

have seen one zoo use long pieces of aquarium tubing as nes�ng material but I

don't know which one or the specifics. We are thinking about using car wash

felt cut into thick strips about 6 inches long or perhaps ar�ficial grasses. We

have some concerns about birds ea�ng things given to them. If anyone is using

soMer items for nes�ng, we would like to hear your experience with them!

What is the product, where did you purchase it, what size is it, how oMen do

you replace these items and/or wash them, how do the penguins like them, etc.

Racine Zoo African

Cut nomad maXng and tubing they get donated from a company in Milwaukee.

Both items are cut 6 inches long. They use a bleach soak for cleaning. No issues

with inges�on.

Woodland Park Zoo Humboldt

Nomad maXng cut into 2 inches by 6 inches rectangles. No problems with in-

ges�on. Easy to clean.

Long Island Aquarium and

Exhibi�on Center African

Plas�c aquarium plants. They have used this for years. They get the plants that

have a thicker blade to them. Not grass like ones as those tend to get pulled

apart by the birds into �ny shreds. They take the plant itself and pull the leaves

off the base so it’s just a bunch of individual leaves. Gets cleaned daily and put

back into the nes�ng box. Once they lay an egg it gets leM there un�l the chick

hatches. To clean it can be soaked in bleach or other disinfectants and then let

dry as its non-absorbent.

Monterey Bay Aquarium African

Aquarium tubing and fake grasses but they were eaten by some of the birds.

They no longer use either and only use river rock.

South African Associa�on for

Marine Biological Research African

Have a colony of African Penguins in a humid climate in an outdoor enclosure.

They started using Lavender which they dry out. They chose this as it is similar

to the nes�ng material they naturally use, has an� mold, bacteria and insect

proper�es, and is biodegradable if they ingest it. They �e it in bunches and the

birds have to forage for it. They have been using it for years with an improve-

ment in nes�ng success. They replace it whenever it gets damp.

Minnesota Zoo African Line nest boxes with nomad maXng.

Akron Zoo Humboldt

Carwash felt and fire hose pieces cut 3-4 inches by 8-10 inches. No inges�on

issues due to it being cut so long. They clean it once a week. Can be put in the

washer and dryer and is very durable and cleans well.


Columbus Zoo Humboldt

Pea gravel covered with Enkamat® inside a medium sized pet kennel with door removed. As

extra material, they give dried lavender. The birds also collect the larger river rocks that cover

the exhibit and add to the boxes. They change the nest boxes every 10-12 days. The pea grav-

el is easy to rinse and they soak it along with the nest box and the Enkamat® in dilute bleach

for 12-24 hours before rinsing. They have found that the Enkamat® covering the small pea

gravel gives enough cushioning for the penguins to successfully lay eggs but also allows for

adequate drainage. They get the Enkamat® (Nylon, 39 inches by 5 yards; 0.50 inches thick;

0.025 inches diameter) through Aqua�c Eco-Systems® at h�ps://pentairaes.com and have

had very successful nes�ng seasons.

Henry Vilas Zoo African

10-12 inch airline tubing and ar�ficial grasses (10-12 inches). Both can be soaked in chlorhexi-

dine for cleaning. They have not had any issue with birds trying to eat it since they cut them

so long.

Great Plains Zoo and

Delbridge Museum African

Wet suit material as a soMer op�on for nes�ng penguins. Their birds really seem to like it and

have chosen to use it over other substrates that were offered. They get the wet suits donated

from a local scuba diving store. Pieces can be cleaned and reused. They have stated that bak-

ing soda will actually take out the penguin smell completely! The pieces will float so less likely

to clog filters or pump intakes. They usually switch the pieces out once a week for clean-

ing. The only problem they reported is birds stealing from each other so they have lots on

hand to prevent figh�ng.

Toronto Zoo African

Aquarium tubing in the past. They noted that the tubing is hollow and if moisture gets inside

it could produce mold /bacteria. To solve that problem they disinfected them, dried them out

and then hot glued the end shut so no moisture could enter. They noted that it was �me

consuming to make and hot glue plugs don't always adhere to the tubing. They have also use

cable �es (zip �es). The penguins love them, they are cheap, soM and flexible, easy to find,

endless supply and very easy to disinfect.

Keeper response,

zoo affilia�on not

reported

Six-inch long pieces of hose also cut in half length-wise so you can clean out the inside. The

hoses are really thick and heavy-duty. They get them for free from their maintenance depart-

ment when there are hoses that can’t be repaired. They wash and disinfect them when they

clean the nest boxes, which is about once a month, or longer if they have chicks or eggs. They

also used aquarium plants but the ones they were using have fallen apart into smaller pieces

quickly so they are looking for an alterna�ve. They have also tried airline tubing melted to-

gether on each end and it seems to work well.

Keeper response,

zoo affilia�on not

reported

Long aquarium grass. They are long single pieces, not segments put together. They just soak

them to disinfect them and give them a good spray down once their nes�ng period comes to

an end. They had previously used plas�c drinking straws. The penguins never chewed them

and like the grasses, they float. They were also very easy to clean if they got too disgus�ng

and could not come clean, they were easily replaced. They prefer the grass because it looks

more natural.

[Eds. Note]

Thank you to Heather Neldner, Milwaukee County Zoo, for compiling and pos�ng these

responses to the Penguin Listserv. Addi�onal informa�on on nes�ng materials is reviewed in

Vol 18 No 2 under Penguin Listserv Summaries.



News and Updates

♦ El Manual de AZA Pinguin͂o Animal Care ha sido traducido al español! Rebecca Greenberg, AZA Conserva�on and

Science Coordinator, announced this month that the 2014 AZA Penguin Care Manual has been translated into Span-

ish! Congratula�ons to Maren Zordan and the team at ALPZA for their help in transla�ng this ACM. This was an in-

credible amount of work and a great accomplishment. Find the published ACM at: h�p://www.aza.org/animal-care-

manuals/.

♦ In March Lauren Wilson announced that AZA will soon launch the Sustainability Database Project. The reports will

serve to help align resources with species needs. An AZA member login is required to view the compiled reports for

penguins at www.aza.org. The reports will go live in May 2016.

♦ Penguin Sen�nels Spring Update focused on Galapagos penguins. The penguins are experiencing some difficul�es

from the current El Nino. Dr. Boersma reports finding no nests in February and many penguins with algae on their

feathers, presumably because they are spending more �me in the water and less on land. Despite these findings,

Dr. Boersma says that the birds look be�er overall than the 1998 El Nino event and shared that she con�nues to see

resiliency in these birds even when faced with a variable environmental condi�ons.

♦ Dr. Brent Stewart, Hubbs-SeaWorld Research Ins�tute, spent about six weeks studying penguin popula�ons and

habitats on the Antarc�c Peninsula using a type of drone called a quadracopter. The drone allows for high resolu-

�on photography and remote observa�on without disturbing the birds behavior.

♦ During the 2013-14 breeding season researchers studying Adelie penguins reported that most of a colony was

gone. The study, published in Antarc�c Science, inves�gated the poten�al impacts of a stranded iceberg, B09B, and

the resultant increased sea ice on nes�ng Adelie penguins at Cape Denison. The study, targeted at possible climate

change effects, highlighted that most of the penguins were gone when the scien�sts returned to the study

site. When the scien�st published their paper and were interviewed, the mainstream media sensa�onalized their

findings to make it sound as though the stranding of the berg (which occurred in 2010) led to 150,000 penguin

deaths “overnight”. Dr. LaRue, a prominent penguin ecologist from the University of Minnesota, was interviewed

and tempered the conversa�on by saying that what actually may have happened to the penguins is really un-

known. Penguin colonies might move in response to changing condi�ons, or they may persist and not be success-

ful. And Kerry-Jane Wilson, lead author of the study, went online to correct the errors reported by the mainstream

media. Now re�red, Dr. Wilson says she does not know where the “150,000” figure came from because it was not

in the paper (See Wilson, K-F in Recommended References). This situa�on highlights the difficul�es associated with

conveying informa�on related to climate change from the scien�st to the popular media, and the challenge of pro-

mo�ng an appropriate understanding of climate issues and maintaining credibility among consumers. Ul�mately, it

is the human consumer that needs to understand how they contribute to climate change and what ac�ons are re-

quired to reduce their “carbon footprint”. Read the online conversa�ons at h�p://www.thedailybeast.com/

ar�cles/2016/02/22/the-case-of-the-150-000-dead-penguins.html, h�p://www.scar.org/2016/840-no-150-000-

adelie-penguins-did-not-die-overnight and h�p://www.pri.org/stories/2016-03-26/antarc�ca-displaced-penguins-

may-be-sign-climate-change.

♦ Researchers journeyed to the Crozet Islands to inves�gate the biomechanics of the king penguin walk rela�ve to

their body weight. Their findings show that heavier king penguins, though s�ll able to walk, are more likely to stum-

ble or fall when compared with less heavy birds. King penguins were trained to walk on a treadmill for the study.

♦ The Detroit Zoo announced in February that their new penguin center, the Polk Penguin Conserva�on Center will

open in April. As the largest facility for penguins in the world, the penguin center features a 326,000-gallon, 25-foot

-deep aqua�c area where visitors can watch more than 80 penguins of four species explore their habitat. An under-

water gallery and two acrylic underwater tunnels provide views as the birds swim, soar and deep-dive. Get a head

start by taking a virtual tour h�ps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8u4suqVqesI.




News and Updates

♦ Megan Cimino, University of Delaware (UD), shared with PCN “…we recently had an interes�ng penguin study

about tagging penguins and using underwater robots to study foraging compe��on between Adelie and gentoo”

penguins. Read a summary of the study in this issue.

♦ The Adventure Aquarium, Camden, New Jersey, announced in January that Li�le Blue Beach is the new home to

li�le blue penguins. The well-traveled penguins were born at the Taronga Zoo in Australia and lived briefly at the

Bronx Zoo before moving to their new home.

♦ A study published in Nature Communica�ons contends that the fish caught worldwide is underreported and that

the total catch is in significant decline. Accurate data are vital to responsible fisheries management. The bo�om

line: we are taking far more fish from the oceans than the official data reflects for a revised global es�mate of 109

million metric tons of fish annually.

♦ A new study by French and German scien�sts suggests that the social thermoregulatory behavior of emperor pen-

guins may be more complex and dynamic than previously thought. They found that emperor penguins sought hud-

dles, then broke up huddles in response to environmental condi�ons. They observed that the huddles lasted for

only minutes to a few hours and could be quickly broken up by just one penguin. They also saw releases of heat/

steam as the birds separated. The results were based on video recordings of more than 3,000 emperor penguins at

Point Géologie. The study was published in Animal Behavior last December.

♦ The Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust reported that the yellow-eyed penguin popula�on on the Otago Peninsula of New

Zealand hit a 25 year low last December. Factors influencing the decline include an outbreak of avian diphtheria

and barracuda a�acks (See PCN Vol 18 No 2).

♦ GPS and Penguin Sen�nels announced on December 3rd that “the Province of Chubut

legislature approved a Marine Protected Area along the coast of Chubut that includes

waters around Punta Tombo”. The MPA comes on the heels of the incorpora�on of

land around Punta Tombo into the Patagonia Azul Biosphere Preserve, a double win

for Magellanic penguins.

♦ Last December, little blue penguins got help with nesting sites on the mainland of New Zealand through the Muri-

awai Environmental Action Community Trust. They constructed nest boxes as sheltered nest “burrows” for the

birds. http://www.stuff.co.nz/auckland/local-news/nor-west-news/74475588/cosy-abodes-for-little-blue-penguins

- in-muriwai.

♦ In December SANCCOB again rescued hundreds of “Christmas Chicks”, African penguin

chicks that have been abandoned by their parents. And the cost to support these

chicks increases each year. Anyone can take ac�on for conserva�on by adop�ng a

chick to support the costs of rescue. Visit h�ps://www.sanccob.co.za or h�ps://

www.givengain.com/cc/saveachick. Each adop�on includes a photograph of the chick,

a cer�ficate of adop�on, a thank you le�er, a s�cker that says ‘I adopted an African

penguin’.



Photo courtesy of SANCCOB.


News and Updates

♦ Alastair Wilson, BBCEarth on Instagram, posted a photo in December of an all-white Gentoo penguin he observed at

Bird Island, South Georgia. h�ps://www.instagram.com/p/9Srf41Jd_d.

♦ Climate change con�nues to impact ecosystems. With temperatures rapidly rising on the Antarc�c Peninsula, re-

searchers inves�gated ice melt run off from glaciers. In the report released last December, they found cause for

concern. With run-off comes sedimenta�on that they found led to a drop in diversity. Link to the full ar�cle CLI-

MATE CHANGE AND GLACIER RETREAT DRIVE SHIFTS IN AN ANTARCTIC BENTHIC ECOSYSTEM in Recommended

References, this issue.

♦ In summarizing a paper published in Environmental Science and Technology, Conserva�on Magazine reported in

November that scien�sts inves�gated the level of microplas�cs in commercially available sea salt in China. They

found amounts of plas�c sufficient to predict that even at a low salt intake up to 1,000 pieces of microplas�c could

be ingested annually by a person in China. Sadly, the risk of such plas�c inges�on is even higher in seafood. Link to

the ar�cle at: h�p://conserva�onmagazine.org/2015/11/plas�cs-are-invading-your-salt-shakers. Such findings

highlight the ongoing risks of plas�cs pollu�on to marine species at all trophic levels, including penguins.

♦ A paper published in the Marine Pollu�on Bulle�n cen�meter suggests that rescue and rehabilita�on of oiled wild-

life is a jus�fied response to oil spills. Their study looked at rehabilitated versus non-rehabilitated blue penguins

and found both sets of birds were behaving similarly. Link to the full paper in Recommended References.

♦ Two studies in November focused on penguins feathers. In one study, Cassondra Williams, UC Irvine, examined

emperor penguins’ feathers and debunked prior held no�ons of feather density. By clipping feathers and coun�ng

the feather shaMs she and her team found about 9 body contour feathers per square cen�meter or about 59 feath-

ers per square inch (not the 70-100 feathers per square inch oMen quoted). The next surprise was in finding several

types of feathers, including downy feathers a�ached to the skin at four �mes the density of the contour feathers

and filoplumes that combine into a complex insula�on system. It is yet to be determined if other penguin species

display as complex a feather system. The other study looked at the ice repelling quality of Gentoo penguin feath-

ers. Researchers found �ny pores in the feathers using Scanning Electron Microscopy. These pores combine with

preen gland secre�ons to keep feathers highly water resistant which in turn helps penguin feathers to stay ice free;

the water droplet rolls off before it has �me to freeze. And Gentoo penguin feathers were more hydrophobic than

the feathers of the Magellanic penguin. These findings were presented at the American Physical Society’s Division

of Fluid Dynamics.

♦ The 2nd World Seabird Conference was held in October. Find videos and photos at h�ps://www.youtube.com/

channel/UCnjWVJvGQk2IY8_W5GBCMEg.


Penguin Conserva�on Newsle�er Index: October 2011 to October 2015

Vol 14 No 1: 2010 The North American Penguin TAG: Mission and Goals

Diving Physiology of Emperor Penguins at Penguin Ranch

Semen Collec�on and Ar�ficial Insemina�on of Rockhopper Penguins at the Indianapolis Zoo

Vol 15 No 1: 2011 7th Interna�onal Penguin Conference a Success

The African Penguin Chick Bolstering Project

Mys�c Aquarium Helps with the Rescue of SANCCOB’s 2010 “Christmas Chicks”

Eastern Equine Encephali�s: A New Threat to Penguins

Significant Hatches: Emperor Chick Hatches at SeaWorld San Diego, CA

Penguin Status in Troubled Oceans

The Global Penguin Society (GPS): Penguin Advocacy for the Ocean

AZA Grant Resources

Book review: The Great Penguin Rescue

Vol 15 No 2: 2011 Penguin Chick Feather-loss Disorder

Two Examples of Ar�ficial Nest Burrows

“Good Catch”: Monitoring fish consump�on/waste in order to reduce food fish waste at the Penguin and Puffin Coast

Abstract: Parental Behavior Controls Incuba�on Period and Asynchrony of Hatching of Magellanic Penguins

They Are All SSP’s

Flipping the Switch: A review of “Switch: How to Change When Change is Hard”

Vol 16 No 1: 2012 Li�le Penguin Conserva�on and Research

Saving Yellow-eyed Penguins

Novel Relapsing Fever Borrelia Detected in African Penguins

Saving Wildlife From Our Oil Habits

Going the Extra Mile, or Some�mes 2,000 Miles, to Save Penguins

Welcome to the Zoological Ligh�ng Ins�tute

Recommended References

Vol 16 No 2: 2012 The Aquarium of the Pacific Welcomes New Magellanic Penguins

Recent Advances in Emperor Penguin Research

California’s Oiled Wildlife Care Network (OWCN) Helps with Oil Spill Recovery in New Zealand

U�lizing Travel Kennels for Penguin Nes�ng

The Punta San Juan Project–Protec�ng One of the World’s Largest Colonies of Humboldt Penguins

Experiencing the Punta San Juan Guano Harvest

Penguin Awareness Day and World Penguin Day Event Ideas: Save the Date!

My Journey to Punta San Juan

Penguin TAG Mee�ng—AZA Mid-Year 2012

Fundraising Opportuni�es

Vol 17 No 1: 2013 Improving Magellanic Penguin Nes�ng Sites at Sea World San Diego

The Penguin Coast at Rosamond Gifford Zoo

Five Important SANCCOB Stories

Penguin Awareness Day Celebrated with Cocktails and Fundraising


- Chick rearing recommenda�ons for removal from nest, supplements, and when to begin skin/bones/whole fish

Two Unique and Interes�ng Penguin Anomalies


Vol 17 No 2: 2013 / IPC8 Issue A Christmas Chick Experience: SANCCOB’s Chick Bolstering Project

Status of Penguins in North American Zoos and Aquariums

Penguins Conceived for the First Time Using Ar�ficial Insemina�on

Two Much-Awaited Penguin Books Now Available

The Demography is in the Details: A Review of Life Tables From Ten Species of Zoo Penguins (Overview)




Penguin Conserva�on Newsle�er Index

Vol 18 No 1: 2014 The Crested Penguin Eye Study

IPC8 Review

Dr. Bernard Stonehouse Receives Life�me Achievement Award

Fibrinogen in Birds

The Edinburgh Zoo: 100 Years of Penguins

Penguins Rock! Today

African Penguin Growth Data

The Ac�vi�es of Penguin Fund Japan

Spreading the Penguin Love

The Demography is in the Details: Life tables for ten species of zoo penguins (IPC8)

African Penguin Chicks Admi�ed to SANCCOB


- Freshwater vs. saltwater in pools

- Feeding �mes/intervals

- Penguin pain�ng recommenda�ons

- Making dummy eggs


Vol 18 No 2: 2014 Current Threats Facing Yellow-eyed Penguins and New Conserva�on Ini�a�ves

Yellow-eyed Penguin Bill and Cranial Deformi�es

Penguin Rescue - Ka�ki Point Charitable Trust: 2013/14 Summary of Rescues and Returns

Penguin TAG AZA Mid-Year Mee�ng Summary

EAZA Penguin TAG Mee�ng Summary

Ongoing Study: West Nile Virus Maternal An�body Transmission and Vaccine Protocols In the Humboldt Penguin

“Waterpark” for Penguins


- Ar�ficial nes�ng materials

- Rock inges�on and calcium supplementa�on

- Recommenda�ons to extend �me between pool cleanings

- Encouraging selected pairings

- Padding for top of shipping crates


Websites We Like

Vol 19 No 1: 2015 Infrared Thermography for Detec�on of Bumblefoot in Penguins

Update: Rapidly Unfolding Crisis Threatening Yellow-eyed Penguins

Penguin Specialist Group Established

Avian Scien�fic Advisory Group (ASAG) Holds Penguin Workshop

Pilot Study Tests Camera on SeaWorld’s Emperor Penguins

African Penguins are a Pilot Species for the AZA SAFE Program

Pre- and Post-Occupancy Evalua�on of Penguins at the Detroit Zoo

Be a Penguin Watcher

First Announcement for Interna�onal Penguin Congress 9

Semen Collec�on in the King Penguin

Penguin Enrichment Ideas

Penguin Listserv Update

- Coin inges�on and detec�on

- Pool algal control survey results


Websites We Like




Penguin Conserva�on Newsle�er Index

Vol 19 No 2: 2015 Penguins As Marine Sen�nels: Building Science and Educa�on Partnerships

Silicon Flipper Bands: A Method for Individual Iden�fica�on of Penguins In Human Care

Summary: 2014-2015 Penguin TAG Annual Report

Crea�ve Nes�ng: Maximizing Your Exhibit Space

Do You Waddle Play?

Building A SAFE Future

Using Enrichment To Create An Interac�ve African Penguin Encounter

Overview of Penguin TAG Popula�on Viability Analyses (PVAs)

9th Annual Penguin Congress: Call for Abstracts

AARP(enguins)

The Penguin Programme In Ski Dubai

Penguin Listserv Update

- What diets are fed to penguins


______________________________________________________________________________________________

AZA SAFE Program Call to Ac�on! Linda Henry, Editor PCN

Did you know that any AZA facility can contribute to the AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Ex�nc�on) African

Penguin Conserva�on Ac�on Plan? AZA has recognized that efforts to engage the public apply to all member

ins�tu�ons, and not just to those with African penguins. All penguin species in North American Zoos and

Aquariums are ambassadors for marine species at risk. Therefore, there are many opportuni�es for zoos and

aquariums to become involved. Go to h�ps://www.aza.org/safe-african-penguin to download the Call for

Par�cipa�on pdf to see the list of conserva�on projects for African penguins. See the menus lis�ng the ac�on

items and ways your facility might contribute. You can also click on the link to the “SAFE Update and Next

Steps” webinar to learn more. See what you, your penguins or your facility can do to help save African pen-

guins and to increase awareness for the challenges facing all penguins and other seabirds.



Afán I, Chiaradia A, Forero M G, Dann P and Ramírez F. 2015. A NOVEL SPATIO-TEMPORAL SCALE BASED ON OCEAN

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h�p://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2015.0721.

Alizadehbirjandi E, Tavakoli-Dastjerdi F, St. Leger J, Davis SH, Rothstein JP, Kavehpour HP. 2015. ICE FORMATION DE-

LAY ON PENGUIN FEATHERS. h�p://mee�ngs.aps.org/link/BAPS.2015.DFD.E36.6.

Ancel A, Gilbert C, Poulin N, Beaulieu M, Thiery B. 2015. NEW INSIGHTS INTO THE HUDDLING DYNAMICS OF EMPEROR

PENGUINS. Anim Behav 110: 91-98. h�p://doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.09.019.

Barcelos RP, Filadelpho AL, Baroni S and Graca WJ. 2015. THE MORPHOLOGY OF THE PINEAL GLAND OF THE MAGEL-

LANIC PENGUIN (SPHENISCUS MAGELLANCUS FORSTER, 1781). Journal of Morphological Sciences. h�p://

doi.org/10.4322/jms.081814.

Berlincourt M and Arnould JPY. 2015. INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS ON FORAGING BEHAVIOR AND

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Bost CA, Co�e C, Terray P, Barbraud C, Bon C, et al. 2015. LARGE-SCALE CLIMATIC ANOMALIES AFFECT MARINE PRED-

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Brasso R L, Chiaradia A, Polito MJ, Raya Rey A and Emslie SD. 2015. A COMPREHENSIVE ASSESSMENT OF MERCURY

EXPOSURE IN PENGUIN POPULATIONS THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE: USING TROPHIC CALCULATIONS

TO IDENTIFY SOURCES OF POPULATION-LEVEL VARIATION. Marine Poll Bull. h�p://dx.doi.org/10.1016/

j.marpolbul.2015.05.059.

Burridge CP, Peucker AJ, Valautham SK, Styan CA and Dann P. 2015. NONEQUILIBRIUM CONDITIONS EXPLAIN SPATIAL

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Cabana AL, Xavier MO, Poester V, Klale GB, Filho PLB, Mar�ns A, Filho RPS and Meireles MCA. 2015. SEROLOGICAL

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Campbell KJ, Farah D, Collins S and Parsons NJ. 2015. SEX DETERMINATION OF AFRICAN PENGUINS SPHENISCUS DE-

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Cannell BL, Campbell K, Fitzgerald L, Lewis JA, Baran IJ and Stephens NS. 2015. ANTHROPOGENIC TRAUMA IS THE

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Carlile N, Priddel D, O’Neill L, Wheeler R and Walraven E. 2015. A TRIAL TRANSLOCATION OF LITTLE PENGUIN EUDYP-

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Chilvers BL, Morgan KM, Finlyson G, Sievwright KA. 2015. DIVING BEHAVIOR OF WILDLIFE IMPACTED BY AN OIL SPILL:

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science/ar�cle/pii/S0025326X15300345.

Cimino MA, Moline MA, Fraser WR, Pa�erson-Fraser DL, Oliver MJ. 2016. CLIMATE-DRIVEN SYMPATRY MAY NOT

LEAD TO FORAGING COMPETITION BETWEEN COGENERIC TOP-PREDATORS. Scien�fic Reports 6. h�p://

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Cunningham GB, Bonadonna F. 2015. KING PENGUINS CAN DETECT TWO ODOURS ASSOCIATED WITH CONSPECIFICS.

J Exp Biol. h�p://doi.org/doi:10.1242/jeb.128298.

Dehnhard N, Eens M, Demongin L, Quillfeldt P, Suri D, Poisbleau M. 2015. LIMITED INDIVIDUAL PHENOTYPIC PLASTICI-

TY IN THE TIMING OF AND INVESTMENT INTO EGG LAYING IN SOUTHERN ROCKHOPPER PENGUINS UNDER CLIMATE

CHANGE. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 524: 269-281. h�p://doi.org/doi:10.3354/meps11154.

Ekanayake KB, Sutherland DR, Dann P and Weston MA. 2015. OUT OF SIGHT BUT NOT OUT OF MIND: CORVIDS PREY

EXTENSIVELY ON EGGS OF BURROW-NESTING PENGUINS. Wildlife Research 42(6): 509-517. h�p://doi.org/10.1071/

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Evans JK, Dann P, Frankel T. 2015. VARIATION IN INNATE IMMUNE FUNCTION DURING INCUBATION, CHICK-REARING

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Favaro L, Gamba M, Alfieri C, Pessani D and McElligo� AG. 2015. VOCAL INDIVIDUALITY CUES IN THE AFRICAN PEN-

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Feldmann J and Levermann A. 2015. COLLAPSE OF THE WEST ANTARCTIC ICE SHEET AFTER LOCAL DESTABILIZATION

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Ganendran LB, Sidhu LA, Catchpol EA, Chambers LE and Dann P. 2015. EFFECTS OF AMBIENT AIR TEMPERATURE, HU-

MIDITY AND RAINFALL ON ANNUAL SURVIVAL OF ADULT LITTLE PENGUINS EUDYPTULA MINOR IN SOUTHEASTERN

AUSTRALIA. Interna�onal Journal of Biometeorology h�p://doi.org/10.1007/s00484-015-1119-2.

Grimaldi WW, Seddon PJ, Lyvere PO’B, Nakagawa S, Tompkins DM. 2015. INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF ANTARCTIC PEN-

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Grosser S and Waters JM. 2015. DEVELOPMENT AND CHARACTERISATION OF 20 NOVEL MICROSATELLITE MARKERS

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Hya� MW, Georoff TA, Nollens HH, Well RL, Clauss TM, Ialeggio DM, Harms CA, Wack AN. 2015. VORICONAZOLE TOX-

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Isaksson J, Christerson L, Blomqvist M, Wille M, Alladio LA, Sachse K, Olsen B, Gonzalez-Acuna D, Herrmann B. 2015.

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Killingsworth L. 2015. ADDRESSING EMERGING PATHOGENS AND PARASITES IN THE GALAPAGOS ISLANDS. Intersect 8

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Labuschagne C, Nupen L, Kotze A, Grobler PJ and Dalton DL. 2015. ASSESSMENT OF MICROSATELLITE AND SNP MARK-

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Lee WY, Jung JW, Han YD, Chung H, Kim JH. 2015. A NEW SEX DETERMINATION METHOD USING MORPHOLOGICAL

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McNaughton A, Frasca S and Mishra N. 2015. VALVULAR DYSPLASIA AND CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE IN A JUVENILE

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Meteyer E. 2015. BEHAVIOR OF CAPTIVE HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (SPHENISCUS HUMBOLDTI) CHICKS IN RESPONSE TO

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Meyer X, MacIntosh AJJ, Kato A, Chiaradia A and Ropert-Coudert Y. 2015. HYDRODYNAMIC HANDICAPS AND ORGANI-

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Miyazaki M and Nakagawa S. 2015. GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION IN MALE CALLS AND THE EFFECT ON FEMALE RE-

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Morrison KW, Ba�ley PF, Sagar PM, Thompson DR. 2015. POPULATION DYNAMICS OF EASTERN ROCKHOPPER PEN-

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Parsons NJ, Gous TA, van Wilpe E, Strauss V, Vanstreels RET. 2015. HERPESVIRUS-LIKE RESPIRATORY INFECTION IN

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Sherwen SL, Magrath MJL, Butler KL, Hemsworth PH. 2015. LITTLE PENGUINS, EUDYPTULA MINOR, SHOW INCREASED

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Vaillant ML, Viblanc VA, Saraux C, Le Bohec C, Le Maho Y, et al. 2015. TELOMERE LENGTH REFLECTS INDIVIDUAL QUAL-

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AND BREEDING SUCCESS OF ADELIE PENGUINS IN COMMONWEALTH BAY, ANTARCTICA. Antarc�c Science. h�p://

doi.org/10.1017/S0954102015000644.

Wilson RP, Sala JE, Gomez-Laich A, Ciancio J and Quintana F. 2015. PUSHED TO THE LIMIT: FOOD ABUNDANCE DETER-

MINES TAG-INDUCED HARM IN PENGUINS. Animal Welfare 24:37-44. h�p://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.24.1.037.

Zavalaga CB and Alfaro-Shigueto J. 2015. UNVEILING AN IMPORTANT HUMBOLDT PENGUIN (SPHENISCUS HUMBOLDTI)

BREEDING COLONY IN PERU AND THE NEED FOR ITS PROTECTION AGAINST THE POTENTIAL IMPACT OF GUANO HAR-

VEST. Waterbirds 38(3): 302-307. h�p://doi.org/10.1675/063.038.0311.

Websites We Love

Read the Fall Update for Magellanic penguins at Punta Tombo: h�p://www.penguinstudies.org/wp-content/

uploads/2015/11/Penguin-Sen�nels_Fall-2015-Update.pdf.

h�p://www.falklandsconserva�on.com

ABC Birds recently featured the Galapagos penguin h�p://abcbirds.org/bird/galapagos-penguin.

Visit h�p://www.worldseabirdconference.com/ to download the Abstract Book (pdf) from the conference last October.

Read abstracts summarizing recent research on penguin popula�ons and foraging ecology (including several on fisheries

impacts in South Africa), diseases, disease monitoring and priority conserva�on ac�ons.



Events and Announcements

♦ Earth Hour, 19 March 2016, 8:30-9:30 PM local �me worldwide.

♦ AZA 2016 Mid-Year Mee�ng: 19-24 March 2016, hosted by the Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, Omaha, Ne-

braska, USA www.aza.org.

♦ Earth Day: 22 April 2016 www.earthday.org.

♦ World Penguin Day: 25 April 2016

♦ Endangered Species Day: 20 May 2016 www.endangered.org.

♦ 27TH Conference and Annual General Mee�ng, Pan-African Associa�on of Zoos and Aquaria (PAAZA):

Park 31 May – 2 June 2016, hosted by Lion & Safari Park, South Africa, h�p://www.zoosafrica.com/

conference-2016.html.

♦ 3RD Annual Tuxedo Trot 5K: 21 May 2016, presented by the Greensboro Science Center, Greensboro,

North Carolina, USA www.tuxedotrot.com. In 2015 this event raised US$12,847.90 for SANCCOB!

♦ World Oceans Day: 8 June 2016 www.worldoceansday.org.

♦ Interna�onal Penguin Congress 9 (IPC9): 5-9 September 2016, Cape Town, South Africa. Contact Lauren

Waller, Chair organizing commi�ee at [email protected].

♦ AZA 2016 Annual Conference: 7-11 September 2016, hosted by the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari

Park and SeaWorld San Diego, San Diego, California, USA. h�ps://www.aza.org/annualconference.

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